First Michigan Hospital Deemed Baby-Friendly

Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe has become the first hospital in Michigan designated Baby-Friendly for their care and education of breastfeeding mothers. According to Jeanne Lewandowski, M.D., chief, Pediatrics, Beaumont, Grosse Pointe,

“Our nurses and physicians have worked persistently to achieve this prestigious, international designation. The Baby Friendly initiative demonstrates Beaumont's commitment to practices that lead to improved health outcomes for babies and mothers in our community.”

Beaumont, Grosse Pointe supports breastfeeding through The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding for Hospitals as outlined by UNICEF and WHO. The Ten Steps include following a routinely communicated policy, educating expecting mothers about breastfeeding, helping initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and teaching women how to maintain lactation once they leave they hospital.

Congrats, Beaumont Hospital!

A Baby-Friendly Rap Video

The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition and the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon have collaborated to make a Baby-Friendly rap video. Entitled, "A Tale of Two Births: The Baby-Friendly Rap," it shows the benefits of giving birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital. Check it out:

Newly Baby-Friendly: Highland Hospital

Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA has recently been designated a Baby-Friendly hospital for its work in promotion breastfeeding. As part of the Alameda County Medical Center, Highland Hospital is the third Bay Area hospital to receive the prestigious recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

In order to achieve Baby-Friendly status, hospitals and birthing centers need to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as outlined by WHO and UNICEF. The steps include prenatal education, initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and showing new mothers how to breastfeed successfully both within the hospital and once they leave.

 According to the Oakland Tribune,

“At Highland, women who decide to breast-feed their babies receive support from consultants, midwives, nurses and other providers. The New Beginnings Birthing Center at Highland offers in-hospital education and support as well as a "warm line" for telephone questions, drop-in support groups and appointments as needed to address difficulties. The hospital plans to expand efforts in the community.”

Please join us in congratulating Highland Hospital for their impressive achievement. Is your hospital Baby-Friendly yet?

UNICEF Award: Ninewells Hospital Maternity Care

Ninewells Hospital in the UK has been awarded the prominent UNICEF Baby Friendly Award for the standard of care given to women throughout and after pregnancy. According to NHS Tayside head of midwifery Kay Forsyth,

''We decided to join services with UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Initiative to boost breastfeeding rates and to get better care for all mothers at Ninewells . . . . Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as allergies and diabetes in childhood. We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers and it is easier, cheaper and simply less hassle than bottle feeding.''

Jones & Bartlett Learning would like to extend our congratulations to Ninewells for their impressive achievement. Cheers!

Baby-Friendly: Regional Medical Center in Anniston, AL

Please join us in congratulating Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Anniston, AL for their recent Baby-Friendly designation. RMC is the first Baby-Friendly hospital in Alabama. According to The Anniston Star, “RMC received the award only after completing 10 steps laid out by Baby-Friendly USA and after the organization had performed a rigorous, two-day onsite survey at the hospital.”

Dr. Lewis Doggett, pediatrician at RMC said that,

“These are not just steps that they say they think will help. These steps are all scientifically based. These are proven [and] the data backs it up that they improve breastfeeding rates.”

According to the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, breastfeeding provides valuable nutrients for babies and helps them fight disease. Janice Smiley, director of the perinatal program at the Alabama Department of Public Health, agreed that,

“Babies who are breastfed have less diseases.”

To help improve its breastfeeding rates, RMC eliminated giving formula packs to new mothers.

Well done, RMC!